The Bitcoin inventor could be Chinese national, Wei Liu, after she filed for a copyright of the digital currencies white paper.
The true founder of Bitcoin is unknown, Satoshi Nakamoto is the pseudonym but many have been claiming to be the inventor. The latest is Liu, a former executive at cryptocurrency exchange Bibox, who put forward recognition of ownership on May 24.
Craig Wright or Wei Liu?
The move comes following the recent claim by Craig Wright, the Australian developer, who has, much to the ire of those in the community, said he invented the cryptocurrency.
Wright was the first person to attempt to copyright Bitcoin earlier this month. The developer behind Bitcoin SV has also warned others in the community that he will be taking legal action against those who discredit his claims.
The legal action has prompted worry for all involved as the Judge demanded to see all the bitcoin addresses that Wright holds.
Binance’s CEO
Binance’s CEO, Changpeng Zhao, is one of many who has looked to rubbish Wright’s claims. Another is John McAfee whom Wright also threatened to sue. McAfee asked the Bitcoin community to enter copyright claims in huge numbers in order to ridicule Wright, in a spat that seems to be escalating.
Perhaps Liu is responding to the urging from McAfee. However, this is not the first time she has claimed ownership of a major entity in the space. She had a similar claim over the ownership of Bitbox, which ended with the co founder suing her for $3 million.
Yet, her copyright is a little different to Wright’s. According to reports: “Liu’s copyright claim makes specific reference to “Bitcoin: A Peer-to-Peer Electronic Cash System,” while Wright submitted two documents, a second also including the term ‘Bitcoin.’”
There has been some questions over the finality of the copyright and whether this constitutes final proof. In some places a copyright is not fully investigated if under a pseudonym.
Wright’s spokesperson is positive the result will determine the true bitcoin inventor: “the registrations issued by the U.S. Copyright Office recognize Wright as the author — under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto — of both the white paper and code.”